Freight Data, AI & the Future of Trucking | Julie Van de Kamp on Behind The Wheelhouse

In this episode of Behind the Wheelhouse on Trucker Talk Radio, Julie Van de Kamp, Chief Marketing and Operations Officer at Sonar, joins Jon and Justin to break down what freight intelligence actually looks like in practice, and why the data behind $125 billion in freight is changing how every level of the industry makes decisions.Julie shares how she got into trucking almost by accident, grew up around the industry, and spent nearly two decades at US Xpress moving through pricing, brokerage, customer experience, sales, and ultimately president of Dedicated, where she was responsible for roughly 3,000 drivers and trucks. She brings that operational depth to her current role at Sonar, where she translates complex freight data into tools that shippers, carriers, 3PLs, and financial institutions can actually use.The conversation covers a lot of ground: how AI tools like Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini are reshaping daily workflows in trucking, why companies that ignore AI are taking a real long-term risk, and how freight pricing is shifting from gut instinct to algorithm-driven decisions. Julie also weighs in on freight fraud, the CH Robinson broker liability case at the Supreme Court, driver verification, and why the industry's fragmentation is holding everyone back on safety and security.Julie closes with a candid take on building a career in a male-dominated industry, the myth of work-life balance, and her outlook on the freight market, including why she believes we are entering a freight renaissance and have not yet hit the peak of the tightening cycle.Chapters0:00 Intro0:55 Julie's Path Into Trucking2:51 What Freight Pricing Actually Means3:31 From Brokerage to Dedicated President4:53 What Sonar Does and Who Uses It7:01 How Data Is Changing Industry Decisions8:44 Honest Advice on Starting With AI9:19 Claude vs ChatGPT vs Gemini11:30 Risk of Avoiding AI Completely12:15 Data vs Relationships in Freight Pricing13:51 Freight Fraud and the Need to Collaborate15:46 CH Robinson Case and Broker Liability16:37 Driver Verification and Industry Fragmentation19:57 Equipment Safety and CDL Crackdown21:08 Women in Trucking and Career Advice26:05 The Future of Freight and Brick and Mortar28:35 Where to Find Julie and Sonar29:11 Sponsor Mentions and CloseFollow Us!X: https://x.com/trucktalkradioIG: https://instagram.com/truckertalkradioFollow Julie Van de KampLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-van-de-kampemail: [email protected]: https://www.gosonar.com#truckertalkradio #behindthewheelhouse #freightintelligence #sonar #truckingpodcast #aiintrucking #freightdata #truckingindustry #logistics #supplychain #freightmarket #owneroperator #truckdriver #freighttech #womenintrucking #freightrates #cdl #truckingFollowPowered by Ready AppThe driver-verification platform protecting brokers, carriers, and shippers from identity fraud, onboarding risks, and unsafe hires.Learn more at: https://ready-app.comSupport GreyCross.orgA 501(c)(3) supporting families affected by roadway tragedies across America.Donate at: https://greycross.org